Feeler mechanism for looms



May 12, 1925.

. 1,537,714 E. s. STIMPSON ATTORNEY.

May 12, 1925. 1,537,714 E. S. STIMPSON FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed March 26, 1924 ZSheets-Shaet 2 Patented May 12, 1925.

untrue STATES PATENroFFics- EDWARD S. STIMPSON, OF HOPEDALE, MASSAGI-IUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DEAPEB COR" POIFUA'IION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CIDBPORATION lxiAINE.

MECI-IANISM FOR LOQMS.

Application filed March 26, 1924. Serial No. 791,888.,

in the shuttle becomes substantially e11 hausted.

In that type of feeler mechanisms wherein the fceler is held in a frontward or inoperative position during periods of inactivity and is released from time to time to its period of activity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, it is important that when the feelcr is released to its periods of activity it shall move to full rearward feeling position, so that on a detecting beat the feeler may contact with the filling in its normal feeling position and perform its feeling function. Should the fecler be released. to its period of activity on the advancing movement ofthe lay, it is liable to impact injuriously against the filling under the actuation of the means which moves the feeler to rearward position and the oncoming filling, and .in such cases, also. the feeler is liable to jump and may call for a change of filling even when a working supply is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat. Under these conditions, also, the feeleris liable to move to its frontward position and there held by the holding means at a time when. the fceler should remain in feeling position to detect the approach to substantial exhaustion of the filling.

The object of the present invention is to provide a feeler mechanism of the intermittent type which has periods of activity and inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, wherein mechanism is provided to insure that the feeler shall commence its feeling function on a period of activity in its full rearward position. I

An important feature of the present in ve i n h r e, o sists O an nice-it mechanism for looms, wherein the means for releasing the feeler to its periods of activity shall be rendered effective only when-the shuttle is absent from the detecting box, so that the feeler is free to move to its full feeling position prior to the perfm'mance of its detecting function.

tent feeler As now well known the crank-shaft of i the loom and the underor cam shaft actuated in a two to one relation and in accordance with the present invention this fact is utilized to actuate a train of mechanism which will insure that the fecler is released to the performance of its feeling function or periods of activity only on a non-detecting beat of the lay, or, in other words, when the shuttle is absent from the detecting box as the feeler moves to its,

feeling position. v i i The invention and new combinationiof parts will best be made clear from the following description and the accompanying drawings of one good practical form of the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view at the detecting side of the loom, showing the present invention associated therewith;v

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation thereof and p I Fig. 3 is a perspective detail on larger scale showing features of the present invention. y

The feelcr mechanism of the present in vention is shown as associated with means for effecting replenishment of filling when that in the active shuttle has become substantially exhausted, but the details ofthe replenishing mechanism are not shown be cause these may be of any usual. type now well known. The invention is well demonstrated in association with any form of,

feeler mechanism, but in the present in stance a feeler mechanismwherein the feeler is of the inclinedtype, is shown, it being understood thatthe invention is not re stricted however to this particular form of feeler.

The loom frame 1 is of usual construction 1 and has brackets 2, one at each side of the loom, for the support of the rock or transverse shaft 8 from which rises the arm t having pivoted thereto at 5 the rearwardly e e d g a m 6 T9 the 6 i pivoted at 7 the member 8, the rear end portion of rear bearing portion 17 of the feeler stand 18. The feeler stand 18 is shown assecured to the loom frame by the bolt 19 by which it may be adjusted in position.

The feeler 20 extends through the rear bearing 17 and slide 16 and its fro'ntwardly extending stem portion 21 passes through a swivel block 22. Between the swivel block 22 and the bridge or support 23 which is secured to the feeler is a spring 2 1 normally tending to move the feeler into its rearward feeling position. The parts so far described are shown as of the same construction and mode of operation as the similar parts in the patent to Edward S. Stimpson, No. 1,309,226, dated July 8, 1919, and'when the feeler is moved longitudinally along the filling carrier it will, as set forth in said pat ent, call for a change of filling.

In the present invention the feeler is to be held in a frontward or inoperative position during its periods of inactivity, and is to be released at intervals to its periods of activity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle. In the present instance the feeler is provided with a tooth 25 which has an inclined rear surface adapted to be engaged by the inclined surface of a detent or catch 26, so that should the feeler be moved frontwardly by a working supply of filling on a detecting beat, the tooth 25 will pass frontward of the detent 26 and be engaged thereby to hold the feeler in its frontward inoperative position during its period of activity. When in its po sition of inactivity it is desirable that the feeler be held beyond the reach of the filling on a detecting beat, and this is accomplished in the present instance by making the engaging surfaces of the tooth 25 on the feeler and the detent 26 inclined as described, so

' that when the tooth 25 has engaged the detent 26 the inclined surfaceswill cooperate under the impulse of the spring 2 1 to move the feeler a short distance laterally and consequently beyond the reach of the filling.

The detent 26 is pivoted at 27 on a bracket 28 adjustably secured to the feeler stand 18, as shown, and the bracket 28 may if desired be adjustably connected to'the feeler stand and adjusted towards and from the front of the loom by an adjusting screw or device 29 in order to posit-ion the parts properly for the performance of their functions.

The lay 30 is of usual type and is provided with a detecting shuttle box 31, the front wall of which is provided with an opening 32 which registers with an opening 33 in the side wall of the shuttle 3 1 in which the filling carrier or bobbin 35 is mounted, the construction being such that on a detecting beat the feeler 20'may pass through the registering openings 32 and 33 when the shuttle is in the detecting box and i perform its feeling function.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the crank shaft 36 has mounted thereon the toothed wheel or gear 37 which is operatively engaged with the toothed wheel or pinion 38 secured to the lower or cam shaft 39, and the size of the toothed wheel is relatively such that the crank shaft makes two revolutions to each revolution of the under or cam shaft. The shuttle is picked by the picker 1 stick 10 which, as usual in looms, receives its picking movements from a cam on the under or cam shaft 39, and in accordance with the present invention this timed relation of the shuttle picking movements from the under or cam shaft is utilized to actuate a train of mechanism to insure that the feeler shall be released to its feeling function or periods of activity only when the picking mechanism has been actuated to the enmeshing beveled gears 42, 13, Fig. 2.

Inthe present instance the reach shaft 1:1 is supported in suitable bearings 14, 45 secured to the loom frame, the construction being such that on each rotation of the under or cam shaft 3f) the reach shaft 4.1 will be rotated.

In the present instance of the'inventiou the reach shaft L1 is shown as the shaft for actuating the take-up mechanism of the loom,comprising a train of gears 46, 17, 18, i9 and 50, Fig. 1, but since the take-up mechanism forms no part of the present invention, further details thereof are not shown or described, the essential being that the reach shaft 41 shall receive its rotativc movement from the under or cam shaft 39, which, as hereinbefore described, actuates the picking mechanism.

Mounted on the reach shaft 41 is a cam 51 which may be conveniently formed in two parts, as shown, Fig. 1, and clamped to the reach shaft by the clamp 52. This is a convenient manner of associating the cam 51 i (It) the shaft '67 projecting Mounted for rocking movement in the.

bearing is the rock shaft 54: having a portion 55 which bears upon vthe inclined surface of the cam 51, and consequently as the cam is rotated the rock shaft 54lis given a rocking movement. The bearing 53 may be secured to the loom in any appropriate manner, but is herein shown as carried by a rod 56 secured to the shipper stand 57 at 58, and the lower end of the rod 56 supports the bearing 53, in the present instance, by a clamp 59 which serves to 'hold the bearing 53 in position with the arm 55 of the rock shaft 5% engaged with the cam 51. Obviously, the details for mounting the rock shaft 5i in the bearing 53 may be varied within wide limits, the essential being that the rock shaft til shall be supported for rocking movement by the cam 51 on. the reach shaft. The rock shaft 54 in. the present instance has secured thereto an arm 60 which, in the present instance, is clamped to the rock shaft by the bolt -61. The arm 60 has a pin 62 on which is mounted the lower end portion of an arm for actuating the detent release. In the present instance, this arm is formed by a part 63 mounted on the pin 62 for rocking movement and clamped to the part 63 is theupwardly extending rod 64.

The upper end portion of the rod 64: carries a pawl member 65 which is guided in ltSlQCiPlOtltlllQ; movements in a casing (36 securedto the feeler stand. Mounted on from the feeler stand is the ratchet wheel 68, the teeth 69 of which are engaged by the actuating pawl 65, so

that on reciprocating movement of the pawl.

the ratchet wheel will he stepped along tooth by tooth. The casing (36 in whichis guided the pawl 65 may appropriately be formed as a shield for the ratchet wheel,

as shown.

Extending from the detent 26 is a lug 70 and the active end of the detent is normally held in its lower position by means of a light spring 71. interposed between the front end of the detent and the bracket 28, as indicated in Fig. 2-). The ratchet wheel 68 has secured thereto a trip 72 which, as the ratchet wheel is stepped along by the train of mechanism described and actuated from the under or cam shaft 39 finally rises beneath the lug 70 and lifts the detent 26 to free the feeler to its periods of activity.

The ratchet wheel 68 1S stepped along the train of mechanism actuated from the under or cam shaft 39, from which the picking movement of the shuttle is imported, and the relation of parts is such that the trip 72 will engage and lift the detent to free the feeler to its periods of activity only when the shuttlehas been picked from the detecting shuttle box, thus insuring that when the feeler is released to its periods of activity, it will move to its full feeling position when the shuttle is absent from the cletecting-box or the lay is making its nondetecting beat.

Assuming that. the feeler is in its rearwardfeel ing position, as indicated in Fig. 1,

and the lay is making a detecting beat, the feeler will be moved frontwardly by the filling, provided a working supply of lillingis in the shuttle and the rear end portion of the detent will be lifted to permit the tooth 25 of the feeler to move frontwardly thereof, whereupon the detent will drop under the actuation of the spring 21 and hold the feeler in its frontward or inactive position.

.Asthe ratchet wheel 68 is stepped along in timed relation with the under or cam shaft, and consequently withthe picking mechanism, the-trip "i2 will finally rise beneath the projecton 70 on the detent and free the feeler for movement to its full feeling position on a non-detecting beat of the lay or when the shuttle is absent fromthe detect ing-box, so that on the next detecting beat the feeler will be in full feeling position to perform its feeling function, and should it at such time detect a close approach to substantial exhaustion, the feeler will notbe moved frontwardly sufficiently far to be engaged by the detent but will remain in an active position until when the filling is substantially exhausted, it will call for a change.

of filling.

Applicant believes himself to be the first in the art of intermittent feeler mechanisms to provide a feele-r release which willyinsure that the feeler may move to its full feeling position when the shuttle is absent from thedetecting box or when the lay is making its non-detecting beat, which is the main purpose and intent of the invention.

hat is claimed is: v

1. In an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, means for holding the feeler 1n retracted positionbeyond the reach of the filling on detecting beats during periods of inactivity and freeing it at intervals to periods of activity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, and n'iechanism timed with relationv to the picking movements of theshuttle for causing release of the feeler to its periods of activity only when the 1sghuttle is absent from the detecting shuttle 2. In an intermittent feeler mechanisnr for looms, the combination of a feeler, a detent for holding the feeler 1n its inoperative positionduring its periods of 1nactivity,

picking mechanism for the shuttle, acam, a

shaft on which the cam is mounted, and

means actuated by the cam in timed. reletion with the picking mechanism to insure that the feeler may move to its feeling position after the shuttle has been picked from the detecting shuttle box and prior to its return thereto. p

3. In an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, feeler controlling means for holding the feeler in an inoperative position for periods of inactivity and freeing it at intervals to its periods of activity, and means actuated from the under or cam shaft for freeing the feeler from its controlling means only when the shuttle is absent from the detecting shuttle box that the feeler may assume its rearward feeling position to detect the condition of the filling on the following detecting beat.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a catch for holding the feeler in a frontward position beyond the reach of the filling on detecting beats, a trip for freeing the feeler from the catch at intervals that the feeler may have periods of activity and inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, and means for causing the trip to release the, feeler only when the shuttle is absent from the detecting shuttle box to insure that the feeler will communicate its periods of activity in full feeling position.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, acatch for holding the feeler in an inactive position, beyond the reach of thefilling on detecting beats and a cam actuated in timed relation with the shuttle picking movements tofree the feeler at intervals to its periods of activityduring' weaving to insure that the feeler be in rearward feeling position when it enters the shuttle to detect the condition of the filling.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a catch for holding the feeler in an inactive position, and a cam actuated in timed relation with the shuttle picking movements and a train of mechanism operated by the cam to free the feeler at intervals to its periods of activity during weaving to insure that the feeler be in rearward feeling position when it enters the shuttle to detect the condition of the filling.

TjIn an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a spring norn'ially tending to move thefeeler rearwardly to feeling position, means for for looms, the combination holding the feeler in an inoperative position in opposition to saidspring and for freeing the feeler at intervals that it may have periods of activity and inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, and means including a cam actuated from the under shaft for freeing the feeler to its periods of activity only when the shuttle is absent from the detecting shuttle box.

a 8. In an intermittent feeler mechanism of a feeler, a detent for holding the feeler in a frontward inoperative position beyond the reach of the filling, a trip for freeing the feeler from the detent at intervals that the feeler may have periods of activity and inactivity during Weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, and means operating in timed relation withthepicking movements of the shuttle for causing the trip to release the feeler to its periods of activity only when the shuttle is absent from the detecting box.

9. In an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, detent for holding the feeler in a frontward inoperative position, a trip for freeing the feeler from the detent at intervals that the feeler may have periods of activity and inactivity during weaving with the same sup ply of filling in the shuttle, the under or cam shaft, a reach shaft actuated thereby, and a cam on the reach shaft for freeing the feeler from the detentwhen theshuttle is absent from the detectingshuttle box, and means operating in timed relation with thc picking movements of the shuttle for causing the trip to release the feeler to its periods of activity only when the shuttle is absent from the detecting box.

10. Inan intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of afeeler, means for. holding the feeler in frontward retracted position beyond the reach of the filling during periods of inactivity and freeing it at intervals to periods of activity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, and means for freeing the feeler for movement to feeling position only on a nondetecting beat of the lay.

In testimonywhereof, I have signed. my name to this specification. 

